SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS* KERN COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION Kern County Administrative Building 1115 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 3 rd Floor, Multipurpose Room 6:00p.m. A. ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 6:18 p.m. Commissioners Present: Ms. Anderson Chairperson/Commissioner Mr. Blackburn Commissioner Ms. Geary Commissioner Ms. Taggart Commissioner Ms. Perez Commissioner (non-voting member) Commissioners Excused: Ms. Madigan Vice-Chairperson/Commissioner Staff Present: Nick Cullen Director, Kern County Animal Services Jerry S. Bradley Deputy County Counsel, County Counsel Lisa Richardson Shelter Supervisor, Kern County Animal Services Maggie Kalar Public Information Officer, Kern County Animal Services Blake Smith Business Manager, Kern County Animal Services Amber Chrissakis OSS, Kern County Animal Services [When names appear in parenthesis, the motion initiating action on the agenda item was made by the first Commissioner named and seconded by the second Commissioner named.] B. APPROVAL OF SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS: 1. October 21 st, 2015 Regular Meeting. Motion to Approve as Amended, Receive and File (Geary/Blackburn) - All in favor KERN COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION - SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS Page 1 of 6
C. CONSENT AGENDA: NONE D. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS: This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons to address the Commission on any matter not on this agenda but under the jurisdiction of the Commission. Commissioners may respond briefly to statements made or questions posed. They may ask a question for clarification; make a referral to staff for factual information or request staff to report back to the Commission at a later meeting. Also, the Commission may act to direct the staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. Please state your name and address for the record before making your presentation. SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES. Heard from Sue Bennett with Kern Humane Society in regards to their efforts in spay/neuter vouchers and emergency vouchers they have been involved with. Heard from Liz Keogh who asked about statistics on the Director s Report. Commissioner Anderson and Director Cullen agreed that Director Cullen would address during his report, agenda item E.1. Heard from Christopher Carlberg in regards to offering the services of his business Bee Rescue at beerescue.org. E. STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS OR REPORTS: 1. DIRECTOR S MONTHLY REPORT Receive and file Heard from Director Cullen who answered the question posed by Ms. Keogh in the public presentation portion of the meeting. Director Cullen spoke about the Rescue Program, Foster Program and TNR Program. He also spoke about the 5 th annual Howling for Homes adoption promotion. Director Cullen reported the record number of animals that Animal Services has achieved in the last several months. Director Cullen reported on an unusual story in which a dog named Bella was severely injured and acquired a large vet bill in which the owner could not pay. Kern County Animal Services, Kern Humane Society, Friends of the Kern County Animal Shelters Foundation and the Susie Spector Foundation worked collaboratively to get the entire vet bill paid for the owner of Bella. Director Cullen reported on the progress made in field services now that all of the Animal Control Officers now have tablets and access to the department s database in their dog trucks. Additionally, Director Cullen reported that Supervisor Couch has given Animal Services the challenge and goal of becoming a no kill shelter and Director Cullen spoke about how Animal Services can rise to the challenge and reach that goal. Lastly, Director Cullen announces that Lisa Richardson has been hired as the new Animal Services Shelter Supervisor. KERN COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION - SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS Page 2 of 6
Commissioner Anderson asked Director Cullen about the numbers for the Volunteer Program and Director Cullen answered her questions. Supervisor Perez asked Director Cullen if he believed if more funding for Spay/Neuter would get Animal Services to the proposed goal faster. Director Cullen responded to Supervisor Perez s questions. Commissioner Taggard commented on how successful the TNR program has been. Commissioner Blackburn congratulates Lisa Richardson for her promotion. He also reports on the statistics from the Director s Monthly Report. Director Cullen also speaks on the statistics. Commissioner Blackburn comments on the Board s goal to get Animal Services to a no kill goal. Lastly, Commissioner Blackburn notes that the dates on the Director s report are incorrect and need to be corrected. Commissioner Geary inquired about the linen cutting project posted on the volunteer Facebook page. Director Cullen explained the purpose of the project. Director Cullen addressed Supervisor Perez in regards to spay/neuter funding. Commissioner Anderson welcomed Lisa Richardson to her new position as Shelter Supervisor. Motion to Receive and File (Perez/Geary) All in favor. F. COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS OR REPORTS: On their own initiative, Commissioners may make an announcement or a report on their own activities. They may ask a question for clarification, make a referral to staff, or take action to have staff place a matter of business on a future agenda (Government Code Section 54954.2(a)). Heard from Commissioner Blackburn in regards to the Commissioners getting business cards. Supervisor Perez also Jerri S. Bradly explains why the Commissioners are not issued business cards. Commissioner Perez recognizes the accomplishments made by Animal Services. KERN COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION - SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS Page 3 of 6
G. OLD BUSINESS: 1. STAFF REFERRALS NONE 2. SPAY/NEUTER FUNDS UPDATE Heard from Blake Smith with an update to the spay/neuter efforts of Animal Services. He informs about clinics scheduled for the next calendar year. Supervisor Perez asks Blake if he believes that things are going along as they are supposed to in which he answers that he does believe they are. Heard from Liz Keogh who asks Blake how long the low income vouchers are good for after they are issued. Blake responds that the voucher expires after 45 days. Blake also discusses the possibilities available to the field staff now that they have surface pros. Terry Kahn asked Blake why there is a difference in price of surgeries and Blake explains why. 3. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SUB-COMMITTEE Heard from Commissioner Geary. The Sub-Committee discussed in what direction they would like to go to be able to help Animal Services. It was determined that the group will meet once a month in order to put together a plan to help with large animals. Heard from Liz Keogh who asked about the current county emergency preparedness plan and what it states about animals. Commissioner Geary responds that it is very vague. Director Cullen further explains what the county emergency preparedness plan. Supervisor Perez states that an El Nino event held in Lamont was well attended and Director Cullen gave a great presentation on how people can prepare for emergencies prior to them happening. 4. FRIENDS OF THE KERN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTERS UPDATE Heard from Judi Daunell regarding an update on the spay/neuter vouchers. She also reports that they are moving forward with their Snip and Tip program. Judi reports that they are continuing fundraising efforts and working on a grant. Director Cullen gives positive feedback about Larry, Vicky and all at Critters Without Litters and gives credit to them in the progress made in the area of spay/neuter. Heard from Vicky who stated that the partnership between Animal Services and Critters Without Litters is a good one. KERN COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION - SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS Page 4 of 6
5. REPORT TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UPDATE Heard from Commissioner Anderson who stated that she would like to report to the Board in January 2016. Supervisor Perez agrees. 6. INVITATION TO NATHAN WINOGRAD Heard from Commissioner Anderson who informed that Commissioner Blackburn has been working on the preparation needed to get Mr.Winograd to come to Kern County. Commissioner Anderson would like to get a motion to support getting Nathan Winograd coming to Kern County. Heard from Commissioner Blackburn in regards to what dates Mr. Winograd is available and what venues are possible for holding the event. Commissioner Anderson states that in the past when there has been a speaker the Commission motions for a change of venue for the Animal Control Commission meeting so the speaker may speak before/after the Animal Control Commission meeting. Jerri Bradly suggests that they can do that or the Commission can go dark and just have the speaker present at whatever venue is chosen. Director Cullen suggest the Commission go dark. Supervisor Perez voices her concerns in regards to venues. Motion to approve looking into having Nathan Winograd to a presentation (Geary/Taggard) All in favor. Motion to consider tentative dates between February and April for Nathan Winograd s presentation. (Geary/Taggard) All in favor. H. NEW BUSINESS: 1. DECEMBER ACC MEETING Commissioner Anderson asks for a motion to go dark in December. Motion for the Commission to go dark in December (Blackburn/Geary) All in favor. 2. REIMBURSEMENT FOR COMMISSIONERS Heard from Jerri Bradley who states that Commissioners can request reimbursement on mileage to and from Animal Control Commission meetings, Dangerous Dog hearings or Animal Control Commission related activities. Heard from Supervisor Perez who reports about a pajama party event being held December 8 th at the homeless shelter. She encourages participation by bringing any size pajamas to donate to the children at the shelter. KERN COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION - SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS Page 5 of 6
I. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn (Blackburn/Geary) All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The next Animal Control Commission meeting is scheduled for: January 20 th, 2016 6:00 p.m. Attest: Janice Anderson Chairman *A full recording of the proceedings can be heard at http://www.co.kern.ca.us/acd/aac_as.aspx KERN COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION - SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS Page 6 of 6